[Structural and procedural quality of different orthopaedic rehabilitation settings: A comparison]

Abstract

In addition to outcome quality, the quality of structure and process is an essential parameter for health care. In the context of a study comparing the outcome and costs of inpatient and different outpatient rehabilitation settings, the structural and procedural quality of the participating rehabilitation facilities were examined as well. Data were collected using questionnaires, interviews, treatment plans and visitations of the rehabilitation facilities. The analyses show a great correspondence of structural and procedural quality between the different rehabilitation settings. Particularly the data gathered by questionnaires show few differences. Points of significant difference include the more extensive equipment and the more favorable personnel key with regard to physicians in the inpatient clinics and the outpatient settings within these clinics. The outpatient rehabilitation facilities outside of rehabilitation clinics are characterized by a stronger accentuation of functional therapy, in particular physiotherapy and sports therapy. Functional therapy is of greater importance in the self-concept of the outpatient rehabilitation facilities and is also applied there more often.